It was a day for heroes.
Over 25,000 people lined the streets of Whitby Saturday afternoon (Aug. 25) to cheer Whitby’s Golden Girl – Anne Ottenbrite – the first Canadian woman ever to win an Olympic gold medal in swimming. She also won a silver and a bronze medal during the Los Angeles games that were held a few weeks ago.
They also cheered Whitby’s other Olympian, Glenn Beauchamp, who came fourth in the 71-kilogram judo competition, narrowly losing the bronze medal to an athlete from Brazil.
Other stars from this year’s summer games were also on hand, including silver medal winning boxer Shawn O’Sullivan and track and field athlete Karen Nelson from Oshawa. Daryl Taylor was also part of the festivities. He won a gold medal at the Olympic Games for the Disabled.
After the parade, another 3,000 people crammed into the Iroquois Park Arena for a reception for Canada’s Olympians.
The photos presented here are just a glimpse of the day’s activities and include an informal portrait of Ottenbrite and Beauchamp. From top to bottom Ottenbrite is seen waving from her float during the parade; she is seen below that receiving the Freedom of the Town of Whitby from Mayor Bob Attersley and administrator Bill Wallace; Beauchamp is holding up the plaque given him by the town and other community organizations in recognition of his achievements; and finally at the bottom, O’Sullivan, Ottenbrite, Attersley, Nelson, Beauchamp and Taylor are seen cutting the cake at the reception.
Ottenbrite is the fifth recipient of the Freedom of the Town of Whitby. She joins the Ontario Regiment, former town clerk John R. Frost, Sam McLaughlin and former Mayor Desmond Newman. She is also the youngest person to receive the honor.
Attersley used the occasion to announce that the town will spend $250,000 to expand the Iroquois Park pool and to provide a new martial arts and fitness area. The project, due to be completed sometime next year, will begin immediately.
The funds will be taken from a capital development account and will not have an effect on next year’s tax rate.
Attersley also said that the refurbished pool will be named the “Anne Ottenbrite Pool.”
Town administration Bill Wallace also announced that a $9,500 trust fund has been set up by the town and various local service clubs to assist the Canadian Amateur Swimming Association pay for Ottenbrite” expenses when she travels to swimming competitions as Canada’s representative.
A second trust fund will also be established to assist local amateur athletes to compete in national and international events. So far, the Rotary Club has donated $500 to the fund.
But Saturday was “Anne Ottenbrite Day” and the loudest cheers were reserved for her and Beauchamp.
Aside from the municipal honors, telegrams of congratulations were sent by Ontario Premier William Davis and Prime Minister John Turner. Ottenbrite also received a score of gifts including a portrait of her drawn by well-known local artist and Whitby Free Press cartoonist Ken Lennox. She also received a 100-year-old glass jar full of her favorite candy and other gifts.
Ottenbrite has also received a scholarship to study at the University of Southern California. She plans to travel there in the next few days preparing to enter that school’s course in psychology.
